Christian Iranian Arrested
Farrokh Kakaei was arrested in May. Civil Police Seize Framed Picture of Jesus. Another Christian man was sentenced to flogging for drinking wine during communion
Farrokh Kakaei was arrested in May. His wife and two daughters are increasingly worried.
First published on stefanus.no June 18th 2024. Photo/Text: Article 18
A Christian Iranian convert who was arrested at the end of May is still in detention at an unknown location. This was reported by Article 18, a religious freedom organization that advocates for Christians in Iran. Article 18 is a partner of Stefanus Alliance.
Farrokh Kakaei (55) was arrested at his home in the city of Karaj on May 26. Four plainclothes agents from Iran's intelligence service arrested him and took him to an unknown location.
It is not known whether Farrokh Kakaei has had any formal or informal charges brought against him. However, the intelligence agents who arrested him confiscated a framed picture of Jesus, along with his laptop, mobile phone, and a hard drive.
Farrokh Kakaei, who grew up in a Yarsani family in Kermanshah, has been allowed to call home twice from detention, but he was not permitted to disclose his location.
At Least 14 Christians Arrested in Iran
Kakaei is the latest among at least 14 Iranian Christians who have been arrested so far this year. Few of these individuals have dared to let Article 18 publicize their stories, as going public can come at a cost.
In this way, there are more and more "faceless victims" – a trend that inspired the title of Article 18's latest annual report.
Read the full report here: “FACELESS VICTIMS”
Dare Not Speak Out
Last summer, more than 100 Christians were apprehended by Iran's intelligence service in several waves of arrests. Only two of them dared to let Article18 make their cases public. These two were Hakop Gochumyan, who has since been sentenced to 10 years in prison, and his wife Elisa.
By the end of 2023, an additional 17 individuals had received prison sentences ranging from three months to five years, or they had been given punishments such as fines and flogging – and in one case, community service involving digging graves.
At least 15 more Christians have been sentenced so far in 2024. All on charges related to the peaceful practice of their faith, which is being portrayed as crimes against "national security.
Five Years in Prison
Three more of those who were arrested last summer have since been called to serve five-year prison sentences. Seven others were sentenced in January to a total of 12 years in prison, along with fines and travel bans. In one case, the punishment was flogging for having consumed wine during communion.
At least 15 more Christians have received their sentences so far in 2024. Seven have begun serving their sentences, and a dozen others are set to stand trial this month – all on charges related to the peaceful practice of their faith, which is being portrayed as crimes against "national security."